Berlin has reportedly decided to move the facility due to customs disagreements with Bratislava, according to sources
Berlin has reportedly decided to shut down its center for repairing Ukrainian military equipment in Slovakia, dpa reported on Tuesday, citing a source within the German Defense Ministry.
The agency said the center, which was opened in late 2022, had repaired Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled armored howitzers, Dingo armored personnel carriers, MARS II multiple launch rocket systems and Gepard anti-aircraft guns. Similar German centers operate in Lithuania and Ukraine.
The repair center will now be moved to Germany, according to a spokesperson for the Defense Ministry cited by NTV news. The official explained that Slovakia had repeatedly proved itself “unwieldy” in organizing the center’s operations. He also pointed to challenges presented by changing framework conditions and the complexity of repairs that have to be carried out on the damaged vehicles.
Reports say Germany and Slovakia had a number of disagreements over the restoration of Ukrainian arms, including different interpretations of EU customs rules and difficulties overhauling damaged equipment.
Despite the closure of the center in Slovakia, German officials have said that Ukrainian combat systems will continue to be serviced at other centers.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has been at odds with fellow NATO leaders over the West’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict and suspended military aid to Kiev after assuming office in 2023. He has also vowed to oppose Ukraine’s accession to NATO.
Instead, he has repeatedly called for a diplomatic resolution between Moscow and Kiev.
In May, Fico was shot multiple times at close range by a man who later confessed to police that he was motivated by the prime minister’s refusal to send weapons to Ukraine.
